How to Drift in Racing Games – Step-by-Step Guide

By Racing Raftaar • Updated 2025 • Category: Gameplay Guides

Welcome, Speed Demons! 🏎️ If you have ever watched a racing movie and wondered how drivers slide their cars around corners while maintaining complete control, you were watching the art of drifting. It looks impossible, but in the world of racing games, it is not only possible but also essential for winning.

Drifting is more than just a flashy move. It is a fundamental skill that separates beginners from champions. Whether you are playing Asphalt 9: Legends or CSR 2, understanding how to drift will give you a massive advantage over your opponents.

In this comprehensive guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about drifting. From the basic physics behind it to advanced techniques used by professional gamers, we have got you covered. So buckle up and get ready to slide your way to victory.

1. What is Drifting? 🌀

Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers the car, causing the rear wheels to lose traction while maintaining control through the turn. The result is a spectacular sideways slide that looks amazing and, when done correctly, can be faster than a traditional turn.

In racing games, drifting serves multiple purposes. First, it allows you to take sharp corners without slowing down too much. Second, in many games like Asphalt 9, drifting fills up your nitro bar, giving you a speed boost. Third, it just looks incredibly cool, and let us be honest, that matters too.

The key to a good drift is balance. You need to find the sweet spot where your car is sliding but not spinning out of control. Too much angle and you will crash into the wall. Too little and you are just turning normally. Mastering this balance is what separates the pros from the amateurs.

2. The Physics Behind Drifting 🔬

Before you start sliding around corners, it helps to understand the basic physics of drifting. Do not worry, we will keep it simple and practical.

Traction and Grip

Your tires have a limited amount of grip. When you accelerate, brake, or turn, you are using some of that grip. If you exceed the limit, your tires will start to slip. In drifting, we intentionally exceed the grip limit of the rear tires while keeping the front tires in control.

Weight Transfer

When you brake, the weight of the car shifts forward. When you accelerate, it shifts backward. When you turn, it shifts to the outside of the turn. Understanding weight transfer is crucial for initiating and controlling a drift. Most drifts start by transferring weight to the front of the car through braking, then quickly shifting it to the rear through acceleration.

Countersteering

This is the secret sauce of drifting. When your rear end starts to slide out, your natural instinct might be to turn the wheel in the direction of the turn. But in drifting, you do the opposite. You steer into the slide, which is called countersteering. This keeps your front wheels pointed in the direction you want to go while your rear wheels slide sideways.

3. Best Cars for Drifting 🚗

Not all cars are created equal when it comes to drifting. Some cars are naturally better at sliding sideways than others. Here are the characteristics you should look for in a drift car:

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): RWD cars are the easiest to drift because the rear wheels provide the power. This makes it easier to break traction at the rear.
• High Power: More power means easier wheelspin, which helps initiate and maintain drifts.
• Good Handling: You need a car that responds quickly to your inputs so you can control the drift.
• Balanced Weight: A car with a 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution is ideal for predictable handling during drifts.

Car	Game	Drift Rating	Best For
Nissan GT-R	Asphalt 9	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	All-Around Drifting
Toyota Supra	Need for Speed	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Long Drifts
BMW M3	Multiple Games	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Beginner Friendly
Mazda RX-7	Multiple Games	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Technical Drifts
Ford Mustang	CSR 2	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Power Slides

4. Step-by-Step Drifting Technique 📝

Now let us get into the actual technique. Follow these steps to execute a perfect drift in any racing game:

Step 2: Initiate the Drift

As you approach the corner, tap the brake while turning into the corner. This transfers weight to the front of the car and causes the rear to become light. At the same time, quickly release the brake and apply throttle. The sudden power to the rear wheels will break traction and start the drift.

Step 3: Control the Slide

Once the rear starts sliding, use the throttle to control the angle of the drift. More throttle means more angle (the car slides more sideways). Less throttle means less angle. Use the steering to point the car where you want to go. Remember, you are steering into the slide, not away from it.

Step 4: Exit the Drift

As you reach the exit of the corner, gradually reduce the throttle and straighten the steering wheel. The car will naturally regain traction and straighten out. If you have nitro available, this is the perfect time to use it for a speed boost out of the corner.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌

Even experienced players make these mistakes. Avoid them to improve your drifting instantly:

• Entering Too Fast: Speed is important, but entering a corner too fast makes the drift uncontrollable. Slow down before initiating.
• Over-Correcting: When you feel the car sliding too much, resist the urge to jerk the steering wheel. Make smooth, gradual corrections.
• Ignoring the Racing Line: Even when drifting, you should follow the racing line. Enter wide, apex in the middle, exit wide.
• Forgetting About Nitro: In games like Asphalt 9, drifting builds nitro. Many players forget to use it effectively after the drift.
• Using the Wrong Car: Some cars are simply not meant for drifting. Using a front-wheel-drive car will make your life unnecessarily difficult.

6. Drifting in Different Games 🎮

Different games have different drifting mechanics. Here is how to adapt your technique for popular racing games:

Asphalt 9: Legends

In Asphalt 9, drifting is essential for building nitro. The game has a semi-automatic drift system where tapping the brake initiates a drift. The key here is to drift just long enough to fill your nitro bar without losing too much speed. Short, controlled drifts are better than long, sweeping ones.

Check out our Asphalt 9 Fastest Cars Guide for the best cars to use.

CSR 2

CSR 2 is primarily a drag racing game, so traditional drifting is not a major mechanic. However, understanding weight transfer and traction helps with launches and gear shifts. The principles of controlling wheelspin apply here.

Learn more in our CSR 2 Ultimate Guide.

Need for Speed

Need for Speed games typically have more realistic drifting mechanics. You need to use the handbrake (e-brake) to initiate drifts and carefully manage throttle and steering to maintain them. The games also reward style points for longer and more complex drifts.

7. Advanced Drifting Tips 🏆

Ready to take your drifting to the next level? Here are some advanced techniques used by professional players:

The Scandinavian Flick

This technique involves turning away from the corner briefly before turning into it. This creates a pendulum effect that shifts the weight of the car dramatically, making it easier to initiate a drift. It is especially useful for tight corners where a normal drift would not work.

Clutch Kicking (In Realistic Games)

In more realistic racing games, you can initiate a drift by quickly engaging and disengaging the clutch while applying throttle. This sends a sudden surge of power to the rear wheels, breaking traction instantly. It requires precise timing but is very effective.

Transition Drifting

When you have a series of corners in opposite directions (like an S-curve), you can transition from one drift directly into another without straightening out. This maintains your momentum and looks incredibly stylish. The key is to shift your weight smoothly from one side to the other.

Feinting

Similar to the Scandinavian Flick, feinting involves a quick turn in the opposite direction before the actual corner. However, it is done at higher speeds and with less steering angle. It is more subtle but equally effective for initiating drifts.

Final Thoughts

Drifting is an art that takes time to master. Do not get discouraged if you spin out a lot in the beginning. Every professional player was once a beginner who crashed into walls repeatedly. The key is to practice consistently and learn from your mistakes.

Start with slower cars on wider tracks. As you get comfortable, gradually increase the difficulty by using faster cars and tackling tighter corners. Before you know it, you will be sliding through corners like a pro, leaving your opponents in a cloud of tire smoke.

Remember, the goal is not just to drift but to drift efficiently. A perfect drift maintains your speed, builds your nitro (in applicable games), and positions you perfectly for the next section of the track. Speed and style can coexist.

Now get out there and start practicing. The track is waiting for you. Which game will you master first? Let us know in the comments below!

© Racing Raftaar 2025 • Drifting Guide